The Ninja Academy's grand auditorium in Konoha was in an uproar. Several thousand people had crowded inside, including the students who were about to graduate and their parents. Every face was a picture of nervousness and excitement, and the chatter never stopped. Why all the commotion? Today was the big day when the Ninja Academy's first class would graduate and be assigned to teams. The future of these youngsters was at stake!
Tobirama Senju walked onto the stage in the Hokage's distinctive attire, his expression solemn. He swept his gaze over the audience, and the noisy auditorium fell silent at once. No one dared breathe too loudly as they waited eagerly for Lord Hokage to speak.
"Today is the Ninja Academy's first graduation ceremony, and an important turning point in your lives!" Tobirama Senju's steady, powerful voice echoed through the auditorium. "From this year's 1,265 graduates, I will choose six to become my personal disciples. This means you can start from a higher position and shoulder the burden of protecting Konoha. But to become my personal disciples, you must pass three elimination exams, testing Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and physical fitness. Only those who pass all three will qualify to compete for the final spots. Now, Vice Principal Yamaki will preside over the first exam, Ninjutsu."
The students reacted in different ways. Some had eyes that lit up as if they were on fire, and they quietly clenched their fists, as though encouraging themselves. Others frowned slightly, a flicker of nervousness crossing their faces; their hearts were probably pounding.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his chest puffed out, his eyes full of anticipation and fighting spirit. He whispered to Shimura Danzō beside him, "Danzo, this is our big chance. We have to seize it!" Shimura Danzō nodded slightly, a ruthless glint in his eyes as he replied in a low voice, "Don't worry. I won't lose to anyone."
The first exam, Ninjutsu, began under the supervision of the school's vice principal, Yamaki. Standing in the center of the examination area, Yamaki looked calmly at the students before him and called out, "This exam tests your ability to perform the Three Basic Techniques. They're fundamental skills for a ninja and your first step toward becoming one. Anyone sitting here waiting to graduate must already be familiar with them, so don't be nervous. Just do your best as usual. Now line up and go to the twenty testing stations up ahead. Perform the Three Basic Techniques one at a time. Those who pass will stay; those who fail will return to their classes and wait for their team assignments."
The students stepped forward one after another and began performing Ninjutsu. The Three Basic Techniques looked basic enough, but performing them perfectly was no easy task. One student stepped forward, swiftly formed Hand Seals, and shouted, "Clone Technique!" In the blink of an eye, two identical clones appeared beside him. But the proctor shook his head slightly. "Your clones' Chakra fluctuations are uneven. Anyone could see through them at a glance. You fail." The student's face fell, and he retreated to the side with his head hanging.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and stepped forward steadily. He formed Hand Seals quickly and smoothly, his movements practiced and confident. First came the Substitution Technique, then the Transformation Technique, and finally the Clone Technique! With a low shout from him, two clones appeared in the testing area in a flash. Each looked just like the real thing, and their Chakra fluctuations were steady. The proctor nodded in satisfaction. "Hiruzen Sarutobi, pass." The corners of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth lifted slightly, a flicker of pride in his eyes as he turned and walked back to the group.
Shimura Danzō watched without concern. He believed that he and Hiruzen Sarutobi were sure to be the final winners. With that thought, he stepped forward full of confidence. He formed the seals and performed the techniques in one seamless sequence, his hands fast and steady. For him, the Three Basic Techniques really were child's play. After he performed them without a hitch, the proctor nodded and announced, "Shimura Danzō, pass." Shimura Danzō walked over to Hiruzen Sarutobi and said smugly, "I'm definitely making the final six." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "Danzo, I believe in your abilities."
Though the exam looked simple, it still eliminated a few students. That said, these children had all fought their way through the Warring States period. Most were older-Hiruzen Sarutobi himself was already fifteen-and their abilities were not to be underestimated. So most of the students passed without trouble and gathered in the middle of the auditorium, ready for the next challenge.
The second exam, Genjutsu, was presided over by Reiko Kurama, head of the Kurama Family. The students who had passed the first exam stood in the middle of the auditorium's examination area. Reiko Kurama stood in the center of the crowd, his long robe fluttering gently in the breeze, his gaze mysterious and unfathomable. His hands rapidly shifted through seals, and with a slight lift of one hand, a vast Genjutsu space unfolded in a flash, enveloping every examinee.
"In this Genjutsu, you will encounter the things you fear most. Only by overcoming that obstacle in your hearts can you find the exit and pass the exam. Those who fail will faint and be eliminated." Reiko Kurama's voice echoed throughout the Genjutsu, coming from every direction and sending chills through the listeners.
Biwako entered the Genjutsu space and found herself in a pitch-black forest, surrounded by eerie mist and gloom. Suddenly, a huge monster lunged at her, baring its claws and fangs. Terrified, she ran, but more and more monsters chased after her. She drew her sword and slashed desperately, only for the monsters to multiply the more she killed. Biwako's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly remembered that this was a Genjutsu exam and forced herself to calm down. She closed her eyes and concentrated on sensing a flaw in the Genjutsu. After taking a deep breath, she muttered under her breath and rapidly formed Hand Seals, desperately drawing on the Chakra in her body, intent on breaking the Genjutsu. At last, she found its weak point, dispelled the illusion, and walked out of the Genjutsu space. Beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her face was a little pale, but her eyes shone with determination and pride.
Not every student had such an easy time. One after another, students entering the Genjutsu space were completely overwhelmed by their own fears. Some panicked, screaming and shouting; others ran frantically in place as if they had gone mad. In the end, all of them fainted and were eliminated.
Kagami Uchiha entered the Genjutsu space and saw the tragic sight of his clan being destroyed. Pain flickered in his eyes, but he quickly calmed down. He stood motionless, silently repeating to himself, This is all fake. I can't let it fool me. Then, relying on his extraordinary willpower, he broke through the Genjutsu and strode out of the space. His face was expressionless, but his tightly clenched fists betrayed the turmoil within him.
The Genjutsu exam was brutal. More than half the students succumbed to the fears in their hearts. Outside the Genjutsu space, the eliminated students looked dejected, their heads hanging low. Those who had passed were exhausted, but their eyes showed their relief at having made it through.
For the third exam, Taijutsu, the students who had passed the second exam gathered on the training ground. Uchiha Tomioki, head of the Uchiha Clan, presided over the test. He stood in the center of the field, dressed in a close-fitting black outfit, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's. He surveyed the students before him and said coldly, "Taijutsu is the foundation of a ninja. In this exam, you will face grueling physical competition and challenges that push you to your limits. Look around the training ground. There are obstacles everywhere, and you must make it through them all. The Uchiha proctors stationed nearby will record how many laps you complete and where you fall. Fall, and you're eliminated on the spot. Remember, you may only use Taijutsu."
The students looked at the dangerous obstacle courses scattered across the training ground, their hearts trembling. How was this an exam? It was practically deadly! They all grumbled to themselves, The Uchiha Clan really knows how to stir up trouble! The parents watching from the sidelines worried for their children too. Even some of them might not have been able to clear these obstacles.
The Taijutsu exam was brutal to the extreme. The students not only had to run for all they were worth to secure a good ranking, but also risk their lives getting past all sorts of fiendish obstacles. There were thorn obstacles, mountains of blades, Shuriken obstacles, underwater obstacles, seas of fire, sheer cliffs, and more. All kinds of physical fitness tests were interspersed throughout, each harder than the last. But Uchiha proctors stood guard at every dangerous spot, for fear that the students' lives would be endangered. Even so, the exam had a limited number of spots, and even if an accident really did happen and someone died, that was within acceptable limits. The students gritted their teeth and gave the brutal exam everything they had for the sake of their paths as ninja. No one knew who would ultimately fight their way through and become Tobirama Senju's personal disciples.